Since Song Xiyun had invited him to meet, Wu Changqing, director of the Second Textile Factory, naturally had to go see him.
After all, Song Xiyun's status spoke for itself, and Wu Changqing also wanted to find out why the other man had asked to meet him.
Besides, Wu Changqing was filled with curiosity and admiration for the 077 Machinery Military Factory.
It was the only Third-tier Military Factory in their city that had successfully transformed.
He desperately wanted to know its secret.
Perhaps he could learn some valuable experience from it and help his own factory escape its predicament.
So Wu Changqing accepted Song Xiyun's invitation without hesitation. (Success guru: Dare to fight, and have the courage to go all in!)
At six in the evening, Lin Chenran and Song Xiyun arrived at the agreed location on time.
The moment they entered the restaurant, they saw Wu Changqing waiting at a table.
A trace of anxiety showed on Wu Changqing's face. He seemed unable to wait any longer to meet them.
As the two approached, Song Xiyun introduced him. "Director Wu, this is the director of our 077 Machinery Military Factory—Lin Chenran."
Lin Chenran walked forward with a smile, warmly shook Wu Changqing's hand, and said, "Hello, Director Wu! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Faced with Lin Chenran's enthusiasm, Wu Changqing was a little surprised. But he quickly recovered and replied with a smile, "Hello, Director Lin! It's an honor to make your acquaintance as well."
Wu Changqing sized up Lin Chenran from head to toe, his eyes full of disbelief.
The young man before him looked far too youthful. The vigor and immaturity about him were impossible to conceal.
Thinking back, when Wu Changqing had been that age, he had only been a bewildered young man just stepping into society.
Yet this young Lin Chenran had already become the director of the 077 Machinery Military Factory!
Not only that, this young man had led the 077 Machinery Military Factory in designing and developing the now wildly popular Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle.
The model had become an instant hit upon release, with sales climbing steadily. It had brought the 077 Machinery Military Factory back from the brink and made it one of the best Third-tier Military Factories in Flame Nation.
Even the higher-ups regarded the 077 Machinery Military Factory as a model, using it to compare other military factories against it—look at how the 077 Machinery Military Factory had managed to turn things around, while you people were just lying around doing nothing!
After the three of them got acquainted and sat down, Lin Chenran called for the waiter to serve the dishes and open a bottle of liquor.
He smiled at Wu Changqing. "Let's eat and talk at the same time!"
Once the food and drinks were served, Lin Chenran raised his glass and offered Wu Changqing a toast.
Wu Changqing hurriedly stood up in response and expressed his thanks.
The three raised their glasses together and drained the baijiu in one gulp.
Afterward, Lin Chenran filled his glass again.
Then they continued chatting casually!
Lin Chenran was in no hurry to reveal his purpose to Wu Changqing.
After all, he was not foolish enough to show his hand so quickly.
Meanwhile, Wu Changqing, seated beside them, wore an anxious expression.
It was mainly because he truly wanted to know why Lin Chenran and Song Xiyun had invited him to dinner.
Since Lin Chenran and Song Xiyun were unwilling to state their purpose,
he could only take the loss himself and throw out a brick to attract jade, drawing out the reason they had invited him.
Wu Changqing began lamenting how difficult it had been for him to become director of the Second Textile Factory.
The warehouse was piled full of unsold light industrial goods, leaving the entire factory at a standstill.
Lin Chenran and Song Xiyun exchanged a glance, faint smiles appearing on their faces.
The plan had successfully taken its first step.
Just as expected, Wu Changqing had fallen into their trap.
They were not afraid that he would take the bait; they were afraid only that he would be impervious to all persuasion.
Lin Chenran smiled faintly, a sly gleam flashing in his eyes. "Director Wu, you could consider taking the sales route. Become a reseller for once—maybe you'll carve out a future for yourselves!"
He paused before continuing, "You should know that your Second Textile Factory is actually quite strong!"
Hearing this, Wu Changqing's heart stirred, though he still wore a bitter smile as he said helplessly, "We did try selling our products, but the results weren't very satisfactory..."
He knew his factory's circumstances well. In particular, the previous director had blindly expanded production, leaving the warehouse packed with mountains of backlogged light industrial goods.
Worse still, the factory had previously borrowed several million from the bank. Now the bank was constantly demanding repayment, putting them under even greater pressure.
For the Second Textile Factory, every second was especially urgent.
Wu Changqing had also tried the "reseller route" Lin Chenran spoke of, but lacking professional channels and experience, he had ultimately failed to achieve any noticeable results.
Wu Changqing immediately played the victim, his voice taking on a sobbing tone as he pleaded bitterly, "Director Lin, Old Song, only your 077 Machinery Military Factory can save our Second Textile Factory now!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Director Wu, what are you doing?"
Seeing this, Lin Chenran quickly interrupted the other man's "performance."
His acting still needs work!
But as far as Lin Chenran was concerned, his goal had already been achieved.
At that moment, Song Xiyun, seated nearby, also spoke up to comfort him. "That's right. Old Wu, what are you doing?"
"Sigh! I have no choice. I only resorted to this because I truly had nowhere else to turn."
Wu Changqing sighed helplessly.
Then he picked up the glass of baijiu on the table, tipped his head back, and drained it in one fierce gulp. With a thud, it was as though he had swallowed all his troubles along with it.
Watching this scene, Lin Chenran felt that the time was ripe and said calmly, "Since a brother factory is in trouble, we will definitely do everything we can to help."
Hearing this, Wu Changqing was overjoyed, and an almost imperceptible smile appeared on his face.
He could hardly believe his ears. He had never expected Lin Chenran to agree so readily.
Wu Changqing had previously relied on his connections to ask others for help, but without exception, every one of them had refused.
There was no helping it. Every Third-tier Factory in Flame Nation was now in a precarious state and struggling to survive.
Who would have nothing better to do than care whether the Second Textile Factory lived or died?
At a time like this, the Third-tier Factories were all just sweeping the snow from their own doorsteps and ignoring the frost on others' roofs.
Help the Second Textile Factory through its difficulties?
Forget it!
They were all like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river—unable even to save themselves. How could they possibly have the energy to help anyone else?
Yet at that moment, Lin Chenran suddenly smiled faintly and said unhurriedly, "I have a connection in Mao Bear. The risks are fairly high, but so are the profits. As they say, fortune is found in danger."
"If it works out, not only will you be able to clear out all the mountain-like piles of light industrial goods in your warehouse, but you'll also gain a steady stream of profits."
Hearing this, Wu Changqing's eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.
He could not help muttering inwardly, So that's it. Lin Chenran has his eye on the light industrial goods in our Second Textile Factory's warehouse!
Before you continue